Style in The Irish Times – bigger, better, bolder
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Pepe launches Tru Blu eco collection
Have you heard the news that Target is banning sandblasting from its denim ranges, because it’s associated with lung cancer in factory workers? (About time, for stonewashing truly is a crime against fashion …) The US megastore has decided that people’s health is slightly more important than our questionable taste in denim finishes.
Pepe Jeans, meanwhile, has developed its most sustainable jeans washing process – subtracting the use of chemicals and reducing the number of wash cycles it takes to achieve a certain “wash” on the jeans themselves, in an effort to reduce water consumption across the brand’s manufacturing process. Pepe has invested in various modern technologies, including the use of ozone gas treatments and three-dimensional lasers which can create a great depth of indigo contrast on jeans.
The Tru-Blu range will be available from May 2012, with six styles in six different washes, from a dark finish to a bleached look, all achieved without the use of chemicals.
It’s a great step forward for denim technologies and for fashion in general – it’s worth applauding when a fashion brand decides to look at its manufacturing process holistically; though I’d be the first to say that fashion matters, I’d also be the first to admit that, anything we do, it’s worth minimising our footprint – like our carpets, the earth will be here after us. But unlike our carpets, it matters what state we leave it in.
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Olivia Palermo in MiH jeans
I wrote about my love for MiH jeans already, so I have no qualms about going: “Look! Olivia Palermo‘s wearing my jeans!”* And, as tomorrow’s street style shot of Palermo will attest, yes, her hair really is that perfect.
* Albeit, perhaps, in a smaller size.
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On cheap jeans and priorities
I have found myself, over the past fortnight, purchasing not one, not two but three pairs of jeans. This is not unusual because I am a thrifty, cautious spender; this is unusual because I’m not a huge jeans fan. Being on the curvier side of 14, jeans are not really my go-to item – no, that would be my brand new muu-muu – and they are something that I find difficult to buy in the right fit and finish. Which is why what I’m about to say may shock you: expensive jeans are not necessarily better.
I loved these Victoria Beckham Denim jeans – but couldn’t justify the €350 price tag. In the end I went for J Brand’s Maria, the wonder jean! High waisted and Spanx-alike, amazing.
I know, I know! It goes against everything the Gods of capitalism have taught us. But I have anecdotal evidence to back this up: I spent more than an hour in BT2 this week trying on Victoria Beckham jeans and Salsa Jeans and J Brand jeans and even a pair of Dr Denims, though I despise the name, and, regardless of the fact that I was willing to spend €305 on a single pair of jeans (I had a voucher*), I found it no easier to purchase jeans in BT2 than I did in New Look or Topshop.
I bought these jeans (above), from New Look, in a lilac colourway for the grand price of €24.99 – and I didn’t even try them on. There’s very little stretch in them, so I’m not sure how well they’ll wear but my initial verdict is that they’re gorgeous – and such a bargain.
These Motel babies aren’t for everyone, but I love them – even if they do make me look like the court jester. Again, I bought these blind from Topshop.com; the high waist is really flattering, although the stripes do twist a little so they give my legs and odd, rubberized appearance.
What do you think? Do you invest in jeans or do you have any cheap pairs that you swear by? (My money, if you’re interested, is on Zara, Topshop’s Jamie jeans and Warehouse’s high-waisted skinnies.)
* This voucher was given as a press gift during the BT2 Spring/Summer show; I would have given it away on the blog but for it had a week-long expiry period and so I felt duty-bound to spend it.
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MiH jeans – one of my new favourites . . .
Have you tried out MiH jeans? I recently met Susan Wylie, their global head of press and PR, in Dublin where she did a bit of a show ‘n’ tell with their latest collections (Deirdre met her too; read about that here) and then I went into BT2 this week (oh, about six weeks later), to have a look at the selection and try on a few styles – and, in short? I’m in love.
And these guys have a serious celeb following – just check these guys out.
Look! It’s Ashley Greene! (On which topic, do not go to see the new Twilight film. Just . . . don’t.)
And it’s Gwyneth! Again in MiH.
And Katie Brainwashed Holmes!
And, lest you think I’m non-selective, I will tell you that it is one very specific pair of MiH jeans with which I am in love: the Marrakesh jeans. A perfect combination of fit and flare (yes, I should write advertising copy) and so, so soft. I tried on a few pairs of MiH jeans in BT2 and these were the pair that suited me, although, that said, I will probably have to take them to a good tailor (any recommendations?) to have a few inches shaved off the bottom . . . They are so, so slick though. I can imagine wearing them with high-heeled brown boots from Buffalo (my faves!) with my brand new swallow print shirt (consolation for the time the tattoo guy refused to tattoo a swallow on my neck*, looooong story).
* While I’m in Portland, I’m thinking of getting a tattoo. The first tattoo in this link, to be specific (with a few amendments). What say ye? Should I put it on my credit card and take the leap, as a memory of a great, great city? Or should I wait until I’m more solvent and sensible?
MiH jeans gave me a gift of a pair of jeans of my choosing; I chose the Marrakesh jeans. I would never take a gift from a company whose products I didn’t like, and when I can, I transfer any gifts I receive on to you guys. Jeans, however, are quite specific and difficult to transfer. But worry not, there are Christmassy Friday gifts every week between now and the big day so you’re not missing out! Bisous!
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Fashion Movement 2011: Jervis offers jean fittings
As part of a month-long series promoting the shopping centre at Jervis Street, the shopping centre is offering denim makeovers to customers where, basically, experts will be on hand to advise you on what jeans you should buy, and why! Whisty and Angela have already had a go at the service, and based on their reviews alone, I’m pretty much sold!
Brendan Courtney, as style ambassador for the event, will be on hand each week offering advice and mini makeovers, and had a few tips for jeans buyers to bear in mind before parting with their hard-earned cash:
1. Start with a little stretch – find a denim that has a little give
2. Avoid bootcut; use a wide leg to balance the hip
3. Try a skinny jean! They make every leg look slimmer. You’ll be amazed. Start with a jegging to break you in and remember, it’s all about what you wear on top
4. Back pocket size: big on small bum, small on a big bum
5. The perfect indigo colour is always the best place to start and is much easier to smarten up
What are your top tips for denims? Mine would be: avoid distressed / stonewashed / bootcut and anything low-waisted, and always go that tiny bit too small. I’ve never known a pair of jeans that didn’t stretch out with time!
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Wrangler’s winning lookbook . . .
This Wrangler lookbook makes me want to go out and buy a pinstriped denim shirt, ombré my hair (properly), and draw on some freckles. Just beautiful.
This promotional video is also quite astounding, although in a very different way. Just stunning.
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AnnaLynne McCord in her J Brands . . .
Am I the only person on the planet still watching 90210? I’d really recommend it; the storylines have got crazier and crazier, and the acting more and more wooden (although Shenae Grimes’ hair is surely on the up ‘n’ up) but the scenery is only gorgeous and I like the way they all lead such carefree happy lives. Oh, except for the whole underage pregnancy / adoption / lyrics forging scandal that has dogged Adrianna, and Silver hasn’t had the greatest time, between her bipolar diagnosis and her ace tennis star Teddy’s coming out. Although, now that I mention Teddy, he’s not an ace tennis star at all any more since he hurt his knee – and Liam’s dreams have been similarly dashed since his ex-con of a Dad let him down, again, and his rediscovered half brother jetted off to France for some kind of film-making course.
And then we have poor Naomi, whose sister abandoned her and left her babydaddy, uh, holding the baby; whose teacher raped her and then tormented her at her home; who was taken advantage of by an evil yoga instructor who attempted to con her out of thousands of dollars. But things are coming good for Naomi, too – she’s been taken in by a lovable (and hot) nerd, to a Katy Perry soundtrack, and even got the chance to dress up as a Na’avi (which I loved and may do for Halloween)! Win-win!
So the point of all this, of course, is that Anna Lynne McCord, who plays Naomi, looks great in her J Brands. Aren’t you glad we got here eventually?
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Brands apart: Wrangler’s new look
Might I suggest you press play while perusing this post – and listen to the insanely good warblings of one Robyn. She was, without a doubt, one of the biggest highlights of last year’s festival circuit and I have my fingers tightly crossed that she’ll be back this year. Leading nicely on to (I’ve never been good at segues):
Wrangler‘s latest lookbook. The American jeans firm is really making an effort to tap into the “fashion” market with these photographs, which remind me of Swedish style and Cos and the 1970s, all at once . . . love.
Click through for more pics . . . (more…)
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A new love affair with denim
When I was in secondary school I had, at one point, roughly 16 pairs of jeans. That’s more than one a day for a fortnight; I had a great pair of Diesels that I wore to death, another lovely pair of Miss Sixty jeans that I will remember until the day I die; I had a great selection of Topshop skinnies, not to mention some cheap ‘n’ cheerful pairs from Penneys (€13, they were at one point, until the UK got on the bandwagon and drove up the prices).
But as I grew older and – ahem – more womanly, jeans began to fall out of my fashion repertoire. Dresses are so simple: throw ‘em on, match ‘em up with tights, load on some jewellery and away you go. Well, don’t forget shoes, but you get my drift. Jeans, on the other hand, require the right underwear, the correct length of top, the corrrect length of cardigan (layers being essential in our less-than-tropical climes). . .In any case, I have now been converted, courtesy of the perfect pair of Cheap Monday straight-leg stretch high-waisted jeans. Flattering? Check. Comfortable? Check. Beautiful, dark wash denim? Check. Not a frayed cowboy-esque tear in sight? Cheeeecccccccck!
Buy them here – and believe me, it’ll be worth your while.
(I don’t do sponsored posts, FYI, so this is an opinion, with which you can feel free to disagree!)
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